Typhoon Dolphin forces mass evacuations and flight cancellations across southern Japan

Typhoon Dolphin swept through southern Japan on August 7, 2026, bringing winds of 144 kph and forcing the evacuation of nearly 260,000 people in Kagoshima and Okinawa. The storm grounded over 500 flights, closed Okinawa's Naha Airport, and forced Toyota to halt operations at nine factories. The severe weather compounded difficulties in Kumamoto, where 6,700 residents remain displaced by a July 28 earthquake. Dolphin is forecast to make landfall on China's eastern coast by Monday.

Typhoon Dolphin southern Japan

• ▪Toyota suspended production at nine of its factories in Japan on August 7, 2026, due to concerns that Typhoon Dolphin would disrupt vehicle shipping.
• ▪Typhoon Dolphin approached southwestern Japan on August 7, 2026, bringing maximum sustained winds of 144 kph (89 mph) and gusts up to 198 kph.
• ▪Three men in their 70s sustained minor injuries in Okinawa prefecture on August 7, 2026, due to strong winds associated with Typhoon Dolphin.

Mass evacuations ordered

• ▪Approximately 240 people had taken shelter at evacuation centers across Okinawa prefecture by midday on August 7, 2026.
• ▪Japanese authorities issued evacuation orders for nearly 260,000 residents across Kagoshima and Okinawa prefectures as Typhoon Dolphin approached on August 7, 2026.

Flight cancellations

• ▪More than 500 domestic and international flights in southern Japan were canceled on August 7, 2026, as Typhoon Dolphin approached the region.
• ▪Naha Airport, the main gateway to Okinawa Island, closed completely on August 7, 2026, canceling all domestic and international flights.

Kumamoto earthquake recovery

• ▪Typhoon Dolphin brought heavy rain and strong winds to Kumamoto prefecture, where approximately 6,700 residents remained in evacuation centers following a magnitude 7.1 earthquake on July 28, 2026.
• ▪Kumamoto residents whose homes were damaged by the July 28, 2026, earthquake placed blue plastic tarps on roofs and walls to prevent water damage from Typhoon Dolphin.

Storm trajectory toward China

• ▪Typhoon Dolphin is forecast to cross the East China Sea and make landfall on China's eastern coast between southern Zhejiang and northern Fujian provinces between Sunday afternoon and Monday morning.
• ▪Zhejiang province halted all 193 offshore construction projects and evacuated more than 10,000 people from outlying islands on August 6, 2026, ahead of Typhoon Dolphin's arrival.